Yorwil one

Slow Way not verified yet. Verify Yorwil here.

A group of us did this route from York to Wilberfoss early July 2023 on a sunny day. Like the previous reviewer mentioned (Yorkie Christine's review), it was a long walk and we were definitely tired when we got to Wilberfoss, we also had a break in Dunninington, which was around the half way mark.

Overall it was a pleasant walk but there were some part of the walk that are definitely not suitable for everyone, especially if it was wet.

The walk was mostly tarmac starting from York going through Osbaldwick heading towards Murton, once we got to Murton heading towards Dunnington, we encountered a similar issue where the public footpath sign leads us to a field where we couldn't get through and we had to turn back and go around it.

The next section heading towards Dunnington was mostly through fields. After a break in Dunnington, we continued on the path towards Wilberfoss, the first part was a nice stride through the forest (Hagg Wood) and once we arrive at the bridge in Kexby, that's when the route becomes a bit more challenging.

It wasn't immediately clear where the footpath along the Derwent River is with all the fences/construction there. Once we did find it, the footpath was overgrown with nettles and long grass and we can't really see what we were stepping on. This does becomes easier when we walk along Mask Lane on tarmac through Newton-Upon-Derwent. Unfortunately, there wasn't a footpath/pavement on the final stretch on the Back O'Newton Road but luckily there wasn't a lot of traffic that day.

I walked this route on Armistice Day in November which started cool and overcast and then brightened to long sunny intervals in the afternoon. At 12.4 miles it is long for me for a day walk and I was very tired by the end - but this review should be about the route, not my stamina!

The route is mostly level. It starts alongside the River Ouse in York and passes through the villages of Osbaldwick, Murton (where I paused awhile by the leafy war memorial), Dunnington and Kexby before skirting the top of Newton on Derwent and finishing at Wilberfoss. It follows a mix of urban pavements, tarmac cycle tracks, farmland, country lanes, gravel farm tracks and finally some river walking (this stretch will be impassable when the River Derwent is in flood).

There was one blocked footpath which is where the route leads between 2 houses in Murton (pictured) - it leads into a horses' field from where there is no exit. This problem can be easily circumvented by continuing on to Smary Lane from where you will rejoin the intended route.

There are 3 major road crossings on the level. There is no traffic island on the A166 but I think the limit is 40mph here - I had no trouble crossing mid morning. Near the end of the walk the A1079 needs to be crossed twice - in each location there is a traffic island making crossing a little safer. There is some road walking right at the end which was not enjoyable.

Apart from the interest involved in walking through the streets of historic York at the beginning, the most enjoyable parts for me were striding along the edge of Hagg Wood and the short walk along the River Derwent towards the end. This area of flood plain is now a nature reserve.

Share your views about this route, give it a star rating, indicate whether it should be verified or not.

Include information that will be useful to others considering to walk or wheel it.

You can add up to 15 photos.